Growing up in a remote corner of West Sikkim, trips to Gangtok were
always a special event for me. My father would take me to the capital city
during holidays, exposing me to the bustling life of Gangtok—a far and dream
city for a young boy like me. The journey was an adventure, full of excitement
and new experiences.
Traveling in shared taxis, the route varied based on the driver's
convenience. Stops were made in Jorethang, Melli (West Bengal side), or Rangpo
(Sikkim side) only. I vividly remember drivers announcing at Melli that there
would be no restaurants or bazar until Rangpo, urging passengers to eat or use
the restroom. As we traveled along the
highway from Melli to Rangpo, beside the River Teesta, I always wondered why we
traversed the West Bengal side when Sikkim had land parallel to the same river.
I dreamed of a road constructed on the Sikkim side, envisioning its
possibilities.
Fast forward to today, several
small towns have emerged between Melli and Rangpo, thriving on the highway
economy. These towns—Sukhia Khola, 11th Mile Forest, Sangser Forest, Tar Khola,
Bhakukhiop Forest, Bhalu Khola, Kirney, and Melli—have grown and developed
significantly. The National Highway connecting Sikkim has driven this no-farm
based economic growth, fueling prosperity through hotels, restaurants, car
workshops, homestays, and other recreational activities. These establishments
create job opportunities and boost the rural economy by increasing the demand
for local produce such as meat, vegetables, and dairy products. This economic
growth has transformed small settlements into bustling hubs of activity.
First, it's inspiring to see how these towns have flourished and become
self-sustaining centers of livelihood. However, amidst this growth, questions
linger about the extent to which Sikkimese individuals and businesses have
benefited. How many hoteliers along this stretch are Sikkimese? How deeply are Sikkimese
locals involved in the economic activities spurred by the highway? Why have we
failed to construct similar parallel highway starting Melli, why have we not
taken highway driven local economy seriously for so many years? These questions aren't about limiting
opportunities to the people of other side of the river but ensuring equitable
development for all stakeholders.
Second, Sikkim's unique topography and settlement patterns have resulted in urban development that extends in a ribbon-like manner along its highways. Towns and cities are typically aligned with these crucial roadways, making highway development essential for the region's growth. The stretch from Rangpo to Gangtok is a prime example, with concentrated economic activities and urban expansion along the highway. I envision a continuous urban stretch from Gangtok to Rangpo in the near future, which will inevitably create a demand for further expansion. Given that we cannot extend westward into West Bengal, the Sikkim side from Rangpo to Melli remains an untouched opportunity. If the alterative highway would have been built, by now we could have seen several town and bazaar on the Sikkimese side of Rangpo- Melli stretch. However, for decades, we have missed the opportunity to develop highway infrastructure on the Sikkim side of the Melli-Singtam stretch and capitalize on its benefits for Sikkim and its people.
However,
the recent proposal by Honourable CM, P.S. Golay to Union Minister Nitin
Gadkari for an alternative highway from Melli to Singtam marks a monumental and
visionary step towards rectifying these missed opportunities. The submission of
a Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering 22.514 km with an estimated cost of Rs
2318 crore signifies a commitment to enhancing Sikkim's infrastructure entering
the heart of Sikkim. If realized and developed as a world-class, this highway
promises transformative benefits while ensuring P S Golay’s infrastructure
legacy to be remembered for generation. Imagine a 22 km stretch of a
world-class, multi-lane highway with various service amenities and tourist
attractions. This would not only help in developing new towns and cities along
the way but also create new jobs opportunities through the service and
hospitality sectors – a significant contribution to non-farm GDP.
Not
to forget various opportunities for entrepreneurs or service sectors. Such a
highway should awe tourists entering Sikkim with its quality, offering a
luxurious travel experience that justifies the road taxes paid by citizen. Such
a highway would not only enhance travel experiences but also alleviate
congestion in urban centers like Singtam and Rangpo, thereby promoting
comfortable and luxurious living.
Thus, the development of the Melli-Singtam alternative highway goes
beyond being a mere transportation project; it is a strategic initiative vital
for Sikkim's sustainable economic growth and urban expansion. I hope the push for the project to get materialized
is given both the priority and urgency it deserves so that we can all witness
and benefit from its positive impact.
(Views are personal. Email: luitelhary@gmail.com)
